From October 21 to 25, 2024, the University of Granada (UGR) hosted a significant capacity-building training event as part of the Erasmus+ CBHE DeSIRe Project. This training focused on enhancing essential competencies in three key areas: Media and Digital Literacy, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Entrepreneurial Skills. Participants from 15 partner institutions engaged in reflective thinking practices and explored innovative methods for developing Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), thereby equipping themselves with practical skills that can be applied in both academic environments and real-world challenges.

The event on October 21 commenced with a welcoming session featuring key representatives from the University of Granada (UGR) and the DeSIRe Project. Dr. Prof. Inmaculada Marrero Rocha, UGR’s Vice-Rector for Internationalization, and Ms. Irene Pedreira Romero, Director for International Projects and Networks, shared their excitement about this joint effort. They wished the participants a fruitful week of training. Dr. Lusik Vardanyan, the DeSIRe Project Coordinator, highlighted the mission to develop practical skills that empower students to become proactive thinkers and adaptive learners. She also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to UGR for hosting the event, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and the Project’s potential to inspire meaningful changes in education. Dr. Prof. Ignacio “Nacho” José Blanco Medina, the Contact Person for the Erasmus+ CBHE DeSIRe Project, further emphasized these remarks, highlighting the initiative’s collaborative spirit and its importance for fostering partnership among participants. The training sessions concentrated on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), led by UGR’s María Ángeles Martínez, Nuria Bernades Rodríguez, and María Fernández Cabezas. These sessions emphasized creating inclusive, respectful learning spaces and encouraged educators to integrate EDI principles across curricula.

The training sessions on October 22 were dedicated to the Media and Digital Literacy Module, led by Vanesa Gámiz, Director of the Secretariat for Online Training, and Dr. Ignacio “Nacho” J. Blanco from the Department of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. They focused on providing students with the necessary skills to critically assess and engage with digital content amid the overwhelming flow of information. Through a mix of theoretical insights and practical activities, educators learned effective strategies for teaching students to create thoughtful media content and utilize digital platforms for impactful communication. Participants also examined ethical considerations, fostering a critical approach to the use of digital media in educational settings. The day concluded with a guided tour of Granada’s historic UGR sites, led by David Martín from the Department of Art History, allowing the participants to connect in the culturally rich context of the city.

October 23 was dedicated to developing entrepreneurial skills, introducing participants to a proactive mindset that extends beyond traditional business contexts. Ana Rodríguez from UGR’s Directorate for Entrepreneurship and representatives from the BREAKER Centre for Entrepreneurship led sessions focused on cultivating initiative, problem-solving, and resilience. In an engaging workshop with Ana Rodríguez, the participants engaged in activities that foster an entrepreneurial approach, emphasizing adaptability and innovation as essential components of future-ready education. This module encouraged educators to empower students not only to tackle immediate challenges but to seek out and create opportunities in dynamic environments.

Reflective Thinking and Evaluative Skills were emphasized as integral to personal and professional growth, helping students and educators transform experiences into actionable insights. Led by Diego Pablo Ruiz and Dr. Ignacio “Nacho” J. Blanco, this module encouraged educators to incorporate reflective practices, enabling students to assess their learning, think critically, and continuously improve. Following these training sessions on October 24, a coordination meeting brought together DeSIRe Project partners to discuss progress and future plans. Led by Dr. Vardanyan, this meeting covered all important tasks and deliverables, setting specific deadlines for the 2024-2025 period, including the creation of an in-house multiplication training package based on the co-creation principle. This package will be implemented in future training sessions to prepare Armenian and Georgian universities for their own training initiatives, thereby fostering the Project’s long-term impact.

On the final day of the training, the focus turned to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), where participants explored strategies for creating accessible and engaging online courses. Alberto Guillén, Director of UGR’s Resource Production Centre for the Digital University (CEPRUD), and Dr. Ignacio “Nacho” J. Blanco led the group through effective approaches for designing MOOCs that foster interactive and meaningful learning experiences.

Throughout the five-day training program, participants were equipped with practical strategies to effectively integrate the content of each module into their teaching practices, advancing the DeSIRe Project’s mission to develop skills essential for both professional success and personal development.